After wrapping up a successful year at the Illawarra Academy of Sport, athlete coach and program manager Dane Robinson is looking forward to seeing even more growth from the youngsters in 2020. This year saw the Academy's athletes achieve a number of impressive results across a range of sports, with multiple juniors winning state and national medals. Having completed his first year in charge of the program, Robinson said he was impressed by the growth and development he saw from all the Academy's athletes. "We're very happy with the direction we're taking," Robinson said. "We've made some inroads into servicing the Illawarra more effectively, using webinars to reduce the burden on parents. "The Academy Games would be the highlight, they're always great fun and it was great to see the teams come together and put into action everything they had worked on at training, in conjunction with the nutrition and strength and conditioning modules." While applications for many Academy sports remain open, Robinson has already turned his focus towards improving the program over the next year. Having learnt plenty of lessons from his first year in the Illawarra, the former international triathlete has identified a number of areas that can be developed and refined in 2020. Read more: "We're continuing to strive to make improvements and make the service better. There's been a lot of learning for me along the way, but I've found my stride and am really excited for next year. "We're looking to bring on additional coaches to assist in skill development, make changes to our education components and improve our strength and conditioning to offer a better service to the athletes." While you're with us the Illawarra Mercury is offering sport readers 20% off an annual digital subscription. Sign up to stay up to date with all the local sports you love for only $3.00 a week. Terms and conditions apply.

Illawarra Academy of Sport targeting further growth after successful year

After wrapping up a successful year at the Illawarra Academy of Sport, athlete coach and program manager Dane Robinson is looking forward to seeing even more growth from the youngsters in 2020.

This year saw the Academy's athletes achieve a number of impressive results across a range of sports, with multiple juniors winning state and national medals.

Having completed his first year in charge of the program, Robinson said he was impressed by the growth and development he saw from all the Academy's athletes.

"We're very happy with the direction we're taking," Robinson said. "We've made some inroads into servicing the Illawarra more effectively, using webinars to reduce the burden on parents.

"The Academy Games would be the highlight, they're always great fun and it was great to see the teams come together and put into action everything they had worked on at training, in conjunction with the nutrition and strength and conditioning modules."

While applications for many Academy sports remain open, Robinson has already turned his focus towards improving the program over the next year.

Having learnt plenty of lessons from his first year in the Illawarra, the former international triathlete has identified a number of areas that can be developed and refined in 2020.

Read more:

"We're continuing to strive to make improvements and make the service better. There's been a lot of learning for me along the way, but I've found my stride and am really excited for next year.

"We're looking to bring on additional coaches to assist in skill development, make changes to our education components and improve our strength and conditioning to offer a better service to the athletes."

While you're with us the Illawarra Mercury is offering sport readers 20% off an annual digital subscription. Sign up to stay up to date with all the local sports you love for only $3.00 a week. Terms and conditions apply.